The Sad Truth About Corvettes In Germany

"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
04/11/2015 at 07:55 • Filed to: Kolbenfresser, Corvette, Carspotting, DOTS

I saw this C5 Convertible a few days ago on my way to work. Since the driver was coincidentally parking it right next to my working place, I was able to take a photo before !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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The AC/DC Sticker might be alright, but the sentence below the license plate translates as: “Don’t hunt what you can’t kill!”

So you clearly see that over here in Germany we don’t need Top Gear to sum up the image of the Corvette for us. The owners themselves are doing it just fine. Their overconfident manliness combined with their knowledge that the Corvette sadly isn’t the ultimate status symbol like a Ferrari or Porsche make stickers like this one so cringeworthy.

The car isn’t to blame of course and I like the Corvette for what it is. Yet the bro/macho/pimp image is simply unbearable.

DISCUSSION (39)

djmt1 > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 08:23

Kinja'd!!!

In England people use them as grocery getters thanks to their fantastic boot space.

Drew > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 08:24

C6 owner here in the States. The culture around the Corvette is something that I find amusing when it isn't outright hysterical. The best way I can sum it up is that there isn't a lot of middle ground - there aren't many casual Corvette owners. I've run into a handful of folks who drive them to and from work and just appreciate what they are, but they're most certainly a rarity.

The majority of the folks that I'll run into at gas stations or out and about are the type that are generally wearing something with "Corvette" embroidered on it. It's fascinating to me that this sort of cult of ownership exists, since most of these folks show the utmost reverence for something they never take advantage of. These rabid owners aren't folks I'll see out at the track, they aren't out autocrossing, and they're not out early on Saturdays to run the country roads with the rest of the Porsche and Miata guys.

The other end tends to use and abuse the platform - that'd be me - since it really is unbelievably affordable over here. That C5 convertible can be had over here for around $20,000 (which, according to Oanda as of Friday's trading, is equivalent to 19,000 Euros.) C5 Coupes dip down to around $15,000, and you can get a good C6 for $25,000 all day long. 400 hp and 3,300lbs stock makes for a potent combination for the price difference from similarly affordable stuff.

In any case, I'll extend my apologies for someone who clearly has explored testosterone replacement therapy. If you're ever over here, you're welcome to drive mine.

Schaefft > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 09:00

Unfortunately that's the case for most US cars here, including generic 80s era GM boxes and Chrysler Stratuses. Nothing is more cringe worthy when a dude proclaiming his badass-ness with an '92 GrandAm and an American flag in the back. Too often that's the kind of guys you have to deal with when looking for an American vehicle you are genuinely interested in for other reasons than it being American.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Drew
04/11/2015 at 09:13

In any case, I'll extend my apologies for someone who clearly has explored testosterone replacement therapy.

Isn't this describing about 99% of Corvette owners in the US? "Buying the Corvette", should be a euphemism for outwardly proclaiming your decline while being completely oblivious to it, because they're generally purchased in the later years of a midlife crisis and fawned over through the end of the owner's life.

glemon > Drew
04/11/2015 at 10:00

I worked with a guy for a while who was president of the local Corvette club, and he knew I was a car guy so he invited me to events and I got to know the cars and the people. They tended to talk about how much better the newer cars ride and that they are more comfortable, followed by talking about the MPG they get, which is actually pretty impressive given the performance.

They don't tend to talk about working on their cars or driving them at speed, although my co-worker told me the track day guys are sort of their own breed and tend not to be in the club so much, or maybe it was a track day guy who told me he really didn't feel so welcome. I know there are guys who love them as performance cars, but it is an interesting group.

Actually that culture benefits the performance car guy, because once they are not the latest and greatest you can get nice cars with great performance pretty cheap, the later C4s have tempted me a lot.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 10:18

Das ist richtig, aber BMW, Porsche, und Audi Fahrer hat das auch gemacht. Wieso interessierst du dich für was jemand macht mit seinem/ihrem Auto.

(Doing German homework, felt like practicing)

webmonkees > glemon
04/11/2015 at 10:26

That's years of relatively gentle use only diffused by the eventual forgetfulness of the owner, so not complaining, as long as there's maintenance records.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian
04/11/2015 at 10:30

Soll ich auf deutsch antworten or is English better?

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 10:31

Auf Deutsch bitte.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian
04/11/2015 at 10:45

Okay!

Mich interessiert es nicht, was andere mit ihrem Auto machen. Mich interessiert aber, was dies für das Image des Autos - hier also der Corvette - bedeutet.

Wenn ein Porsche 911/BMW/Mercedes Fahrer sein Auto mit einem Aufkleber wie dem auf meinem Bild beklebt, dann ist er eine Ausnahme, weil die meisten dieser Fahrzeuge nicht mit peinlichen Stickern beklebt sind. Es gibt aber deutlich weniger Corvettes in Deutschland und deshalb bestärkt dieser Aufkleber auf einer dieser wenigen das negative Image der Corvette.

Man denkt, es sei "typisch".

Das ist schade, denn das hat die Corvette nicht verdient.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 11:11

Danke dir. Deine Erklärung ist perfekt. Ich habe ähnliche Denken. Ich verstehe alles dass du geschreibt hast.

Nächstes Monat gehe ich nach Deutschland. So möchte ich deutsch betreiben.

Tohru > Schaefft
04/11/2015 at 11:26

Can confirm, when I got my Bonneville it had a huge Fox Racing sticker on the back window.

Axial > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
04/11/2015 at 11:57

Every remotely expensive sports car is typically bought during the later years of a mid-life crisis and fawned over until the end, though. That's usually because later in life is when you finally have the money to buy these things. There are the younger guys who were born somewhat wealthy and just increased it, but they seldom appreciate what they are buying, either, so I'm not sure it's much better.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Axial
04/11/2015 at 13:27

That would make sense if it wasn't so model-specific. I know zero people under 50 that own Corvettes and can't count the number of people under 50 that own more expensive and similarly-impractical cars. It's curious and cultist. It's the only model with so many clubs, where most owners are members of at least one, and where it is more a sign of age and life stage than anything else.

dr861 > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
04/11/2015 at 14:20

As I get to drive more and more cars, I slowly have come to realize that I am now a corvette guy. It's a shame given the image, which I hate, but you just can't get better bang for your buck. You have to spend over 100K to get anything that matches. Keep in mind I didn't say you can't have the same amount of fun for less money than a vette, but in terms of actual figures, nothing comes close.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > dr861
04/11/2015 at 14:43

Exactly! Like I wrote I like the car and the idea behind it. I'm not really into "sportscars", but if I was, I'd seriously consider a Vette. That's why the bad image is such a shame.

I'm driving a cheap BMW 520i with a fartcan though. If I cared about image at all I wouldn't be able to drive my own car. ;-)

Drew > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
04/11/2015 at 15:52

Eh, I guess I see a different side of it than folks that just go to shows and know "the Corvette owner" as a colloquialism. When I'm at a track day or on a spirited drive, generally, I'm not the only Corvette there. For the pragmatic owner looking for something that's DD-capable and also able to punch above its weight in 911s, it's a really solid platform. The overwhelming number of them compared to just about anything else in its class means that there's a market out there that's sorted out anything you're looking to accomplish with the car. As a platform, it was a bit above my skill level when I got it, but the parts are available to allow me to take it to grow with my ability as a driver.

But I totally get the stigma. And it works out well for us in the end. Folks don't look twice unless I'm doing something I shouldn't. Kinda nice.

Drew > glemon
04/11/2015 at 15:58

Oh, you hit the nail on the head. There is *no* crossover between the two groups. Guys with Lingenfelter builds running full Pfadt setups on R888s/R-comps dicing with 997 GT3 RS in C6 Z06s absolutely despise the "bring a lawn chair to Cars & Coffee so Marge and I can sit and tell people how our automatic '81 was one of only 8,000 sold that year in that color combination with that transmission choice" gang.

It worked out for me - I got a very well sorted '07 for a song. As tempting as the C4s are, I think the C5 FRCs are a steal right now. Really, as a platform, they're damned phenomenal.

Make no mistake: the interior is abysmal - squeaks, rattles, trim that's losing adhesion, etc. But I really can't see much of that nonsense with a full-face helmet, so that's a plus.

Drew > djmt1
04/11/2015 at 16:03

Kinja'd!!!

Can confirm. Giant Anthem X full-squish large frame 29er and gear fits just fine in mine with the harness bar intact.

Axial > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
04/11/2015 at 20:55

Don't think of it as model-specific, but branding specific. Corvette is a brand as much as it is a model of car, and it's a brand synonymous with the same thing that a few whole companies (Porsche, Ferrari) are synonymous with: fast, expensive cars. You'll see Ferrari owners do the same thing as Corvette owners: going all-out and buying the polos, hats, jackets, etc. and wearing them to match the car. Just today, I went to a car show. Followed a Ferrari 360 in. The man was in his mid 60s and wearing all of the paraphernalia. Literally no different than all of the old guys with their Corvette gear.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ly2v8-Brian
04/13/2015 at 14:58

Vielleicht wir mussen eine deutsche OPPO (conversation group) gehaben...

ly2v8-Brian > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/13/2015 at 16:03

Ja, OPPO auf deutsch.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ly2v8-Brian
04/13/2015 at 16:31

Du musst die "sub-blog" gemacht!

ly2v8-Brian > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/13/2015 at 17:49

Ok. I'll look into it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ly2v8-Brian
04/13/2015 at 18:14

It's probably just going to be you and me, and I'm pretty terrible - ha! It is fun to try every once in a while, though.

ly2v8-Brian > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/13/2015 at 18:23

Not even sure how to set such a thing up honestly.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ly2v8-Brian
04/13/2015 at 20:22

Setting it up is easy. Getting anyone to show up is the challenge.

ly2v8-Brian > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/13/2015 at 22:03

That's the thing. It would be cool, but I am not sure if there is demand. Just as a French, Spanish, or any other language type Oppo were to be set up.

Sir HoonsAlot > dr861
05/05/2015 at 22:32

Whatever people say, vettes are awesome. Though my Vette experience is limited, I think it’s pretty good(ride in a ‘67)

Sir HoonsAlot > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/05/2015 at 22:33

Hey, you can get some good sounds out of those BMW engines

dr861 > Sir HoonsAlot
05/05/2015 at 22:38

I haven’t met one I didn’t like. The C7 is basically a supercar.

Sir HoonsAlot > dr861
05/05/2015 at 22:47

Same, though the c6 ZR1 is still my fav Vette

Bandido Andrew > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2015 at 01:12

I guess you’re just going to have to understand that we can’t all be so cool as to drive cheap 4 cylinder BMW with a fart can.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Bandido Andrew
05/06/2015 at 06:03

Hey! It’s a six cylinder!

And I’m totally cool with being uncool. Thank you. ;-)

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Sir HoonsAlot
05/06/2015 at 06:11

The previous owner bolted a used “Supersport” muffler on it. It sounds okay. Most importantly, it’s not too loud! It basically shouts “The owner cares, but doesn’t want your attention!”.

Perfect!

Sir HoonsAlot > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2015 at 09:53

Sounds like it’s time to crank the volume up than :)

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Sir HoonsAlot
05/06/2015 at 09:58

Yeah, I’m sure that would be the right thing to do for Sir HoonsAlot. Haha.

I’m more of an introvert and like to fly under the radar. With a bit of a bass here, some raspiness there and the occassional burble on top. ;-)

Sir HoonsAlot > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2015 at 23:53

lol I like people quiet and cars loud

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Sir HoonsAlot
06/08/2015 at 04:44

Hey, I made a short video of the exhaust setup.

If you are interested, here’s the link:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/does-this-soun…